Outlook: The Lakers lost George Xenakis from third singles and Mike Bergquist and Greg Gross from doubles courts, but Wladis and Walker will benefit from a third straight season on the top two courts. Card (13-6 on first court last year) and Dziura (17-2 on second) were excellent doubles players but will be part of a wide competition at third singles.

2008 Outlook: Dion will play on first court and newcomer Grillo is likely on third, which means the Spartans have only one senior in the singles rotation and will not lose more than one of the top three in either of the next two years. The question is will the competitive level be formidable in any given season? Butts and Carroll will play first doubles, and Mills and Cormier, who is also competing for singles chances, at second.

Outlook: The Indians lost their best singles and doubles players, but bring back a strong core. Dartmouth had two strong doubles teams in 2007. One of them stays intact, but Waldman and Ladino, who won seven of their last eight matches on second court last year, are now No. 1.

Outlook: There's a new coach and 13 new players, about a half dozen of whom have no tennis experience. "It's a new team so we have our work cut out for us if we are to improve over last year's record," said Beaulieu, a nine-year varsity coach who oversaw the intramural program at Hastings Middle School in the fall. "They're moving around and cracking the ball. I'm really impressed by their tenacity. This is a great group of kids. They're an interesting mix."

Outlook: The Whalers are back after sitting out the 2007 varsity season for lack of experienced talent. Coming back is a nice way for Ryan to celebrate 25 years with the program, which used the down time to focus on developing rather than testing ability. Three of his entry-level participants from last year will play in varsity spots this season.

Outlook: Keeler takes over for 11-year coach Jim Merchant, who left the program due to conflict with a new job. ORR still has the area's best player in Chang but Courts 2 and 3 are tougher to win without Jordan Sattelmair and Matt Lawrence. Heacox, a transfer from Bishop Stang, and Andrew Barrett will get that chance. With Janik and Berry the Bulldogs look strong at first doubles. "We should do well in the conference," said Keeler, who played tennis at Amherst College and has taught at Marion Indoor. "It's a good group of kids and they work hard."

Coach: Tom Clark (sixth year).

2007 record: 18-3, 18-0 Mayflower, won league and lost in the first round of the Division 2 sectionals.

Outlook: Nolan and Trevor Blier and Joe Pelletier are alumni now, but John Pelletier, Joe's brother, will see if he can lead this year's singles players to some surprising wins. "I'm actually optimistic," said Clark, most proud of his team receiving the state-wide sportsmanship award for boys tennis last season. In order to match last year's results, he'll need Machairas and Matrisciano to pitch in at second and third singles respectively, and a boost in doubles from the rangy Couto, who returns to the program after sitting out a year.

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